Education: B.Sc. (Agri.), M.Sc. (Plant Breeding and Genetics) and Ph.D. (Plant Breeding and Genetics)

Positions held: Pulse Breeder (21.10.2016- till date)

Field of Specialization: Plant Breeding

Research Interests:Pre-breeding (Inter-specific hybridization) and Breeding (conventional and molecular) for biotic and abiotic stresses

Projects:

1. Introgression of Bt-Cry1Ac gene into elite chickpea lines through backcross breeding and evaluation of introgressed lines against Helicoverpa armigerafunded by DBT, New Delhi. Co-PI(2017-2020)
2. Mapping of genes for efficient Chickpea-rhizobia symbiosis using inter-specific population of Cicer funded by DBT, New Delhi. PI (2019-2023)
3. Multilocation testing of Pigeonpea and Chickpea funded by ICRISAT, Hyderabad. Co-PI (2021-2022)
4. Characterization of Chickpea Germplasm Resource to Accelerate Genomics assisted Crop Improvement funded by DBT, New Delhi. Co-PI. (2021-2026)
5. CRP-Molecular Breeding for improvement of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, yield and quality traits in crops-Chickpea component funded by ICAR, New Delhi- PI. (2021-2026)
6. Incentivizing Research in Agriculture-Molecular Genetic Analysis of resistance/tolerance to different stresses in Rice, Wheat, Chickpea and Mustard including Sheath Blight Complex Genomics-Chickpea component funded by ICAR, New Delhi- PI. (2021-2026)
7. Characterization and evaluation of wild species and inter-specific derivatives of chickpea component funded by ICAR, New Delhi- Co-PI. (2021-2026)
8. DBT North East Centre for Agricultural Biotechnology (DBT NECAB): Phase III: Development of insect resistant chickpea varieties protected against Helicoverpa arimgerafunded by DBT, New Delhi, PI. (2023-26).

Selected Research Publications (maximum up to 5):

1. Sharma S, , Sharma J, Bindra S* , Vadithya As, Raigar O P , Saini K D, Anand P, Kumar S, Singh I and Bharadwaj C. (2025) Meta-analysis of QTLs for drought, heat, and salinity tolerance identifies high-confidence MQTLs and candidate genes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Journal of Biosciences (2025) 50:19 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-025-00499-2 (NAAS : 8.10)
2. Vadithya AS, Singh I, Rani U, Venadan S, Jajoriya R, Singh M, Oberoi HK, Singh S, Bharadwaj C and Bindra S* (2024) Evaluation and identification of advanced inter-specific derivatives from crosses of Cicer arietinum with reticulatum and C. echinospermum for agro-morphological, quality traits and disease resistance. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15:1461280. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1461280 (NAAS : 11.60)
3. SalariaS, Bindra S, Singh I, Rani U, Kumar AS, Gill BS, Singh S. (2023). Introgression of morphological, phonological and productivity traits along with disease resistance from Cicer pinnatifidum into cultivated chickpea: a success story. Euphytica 219: 47 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-023-03172-7 (NAAS : 8.19)
4. Bindra S, Singh I, Singh S, Kushwah A, Gill B S, Salaria S, Kapoor K, Grewal S K, Bharadwaj C, Nayyar H and Singh S. (2021) Use of morpho-physiological and biochemical traits to identify sources of drought and heat tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Crop & Pasture Science. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP21189. (NAAS: 8.29).
5. Bindra S, Singh I, Gill B S, Grewal S K, Kaur J, Kaur L, Salaria S, Kaur A, Khushwah A, Srinivasan S and Singh S.(2021) Inheritance and biochemical basis of yellowing of apical leaves, a unique trait in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Journal of Genetics 100:53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-021-01302-5 (NAAS: 7.40)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

• First prize in Jawahar Lal Nehru State level National Science Exhibition
• Merit Scholarship by H.P.B.O.S.E. Dharamshala (H.P.)
• Topper award by Himotkarsh Sahitya Sanskriti avem Jan Kalyan Parishad
• Merit certificate by H.P.B.O.S.E. for fortieth rank in H.P.
• Meritorious student award by Bharat Vikas Parishad
• Merit scholarship holder in B.Sc. (Agri.), CSKHPKV, Palampur
• Merit scholarship holder in M.Sc. (Plant Breeding and Genetics), CSKHPKV, Palampur
• Award of Gold medal by Himotkarsh Sahitya Sanskriti avem Jan Kalyan Parishad for topper in Master’s programme
• INSPIRE fellowship
• ASPEE, Gold medal for highest OGPA in Entomology and Plant Pathology in 2009-10
• Gold medal by CSKHPKV, Palampur for highest OGPA in 2010-12 batch of Master’s programme
• Gold medal by Himotkarsh Sahitya Sanskriti avem Jan Kalyan Parishad for topper in Doctoral programme
• Gold medal by CSKHPKV, Palampur for highest OGPA in 2012-16 batch of Ph.D. Programme
• Third best poster award In: Pulses the Climate Smart Crops: Challenges and Opportunities, IC pulse 2020, International conference, 10-12th February 2020
• Second best poster award In: Pulse Web Con 2021: National Web Conference on Sustaining Pulse production for Self Sufficiency and Nutritional Security, 9-11^th February 2021
• Award of Fellow of the Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development (ISPRD) 2023
• Best poster presentation In: International conference on Pulses: Smart crops for agricultural sustainability and nutritional security” 10-12^th  February 2023